By Designer

Polo Red vs Polo Blue EDT Cologne Comparison

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I’ve done a whole lot of reviews of Ralph Lauren Polo scents on this site already and even created a list of the brand’s top fragrances. In this post, I want to compare Polo Red cologne versus Polo Blue and see which one will be a better fit for most guys out there.

As always, I will break it down by various performance metrics and include my original reviews for each of these scents.

Which Cologne is Better Polo Red or Blue?

Polo Red Tale of the Tape

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Notes of Polo Red: grapefruit, italian lemon, cranberry, saffron, sage

Try Polo Red: Ralph Lauren Polo Red Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original review: Polo Red Ralph Lauren Review

Polo Blue Tale of the Tape

Notes include: melon, orange, sage, basil, cucumber, geranium, suede, musk

Read my original review: Polo Blue Review

Opening

These two scents are a contrast of cool (Blue) vs. warm (Red) during the opening. Neither one of these fragrances smells bad at first, so, it really comes down to one’s preference between the aquatic opening and warmer citrus/fruit blend. I enjoy the latter.

Polo Blue EDT kicks things off with cucumber, melon, and citrus notes. Obviously, the cucumber and melon give off that crisp and watery vibe.

It is actually quite nice, and as the years have passed, it has grown on me more and more. Underneath that, is an herbal mix of basil and some other notes, giving a slight spice to Blue.

Red, meanwhile, starts with a very sharp/tart lemon and cranberry mix that gets its warm support from amber. Yes, it gets infused with a sweetness too, but I really dig the use of cranberry in this cologne. It isn’t a note that is ever really utilized and it creates a unique vibe.

I have grown to like Blue more than I used to, but Polo Red still has the better opening act, to me. That lemon and cranberry mix, can really hit hard with the amber undertones. So, it can get some taking used to.

Edge: Polo Red

Projection

Neither cologne is a beast. Both are rather moderate. Polo Red seems to be the weaker of the two in this regard and it usually takes me using a bit more of it to get good performance.

Red actually starts off pretty powerful. It settles down, much more than Blue does, and doesn’t have that same intensity of sillage. Blue, is moderate, but keeps fairly steady for longer.

Red might actually have the higher peak, but it just doesn’t hold as well.

Edge: Polo Blue

Longevity

Polo Red has some problems with longevity, which I’ve somewhat solved by just applying more. Depending on how much I wear, it will last in the 4-7 hour range, in most cases.

Not amazing, but it can be quite useful. When it’s colder outside, it will hit the higher end of the spectrum.

Blue, on the other hand, has good longevity and will get a full workday out of it most of the time. So, 7-9 hours, give or take. It isn’t powerful, but it will hang around, with you.

Most of the Blue scents, outside of Ultra, will hit about this same amount. Some better than others.

Edge: Polo Blue

Versatility

I’d say both are equally versatile in their application in terms of: season, occasion, personal style, etc.

Blue is probably better for being low key, in office situations, as it isn’t nearly as sweet, when compared to Red. However, on balance, they both have about equal usefulness.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I enjoy Polo Red much more than Blue. That’s just my personal preference. I find it to be more unique and a better smelling fragrance overall. Polo Red has released other flankers under this name, but they aren’t really the same as the original

. So, if you want that mix of tart, sweetness, and warmth with less spice…you need the original.

Polo Blue seems more generic and while it is attractive, it smells like a whole lot of other aquatics out there. For instance, Eternity Aqua is almost exactly the same, and is usually cheaper. I also like Polo Blue EDP and Deep Blue more than the original.

However, in terms of value and everyday wear, many guys would probably find Polo Blue to be the better fit for them. It does project better and last longer than Red does. Again though, you can get a cheaper version from other brands, or a better version from Polo.

Blue is the safer choice, but Red is a more interesting one.

Winner: Polo Blue (for most guys) but Polo Red smells a bit better

Prada Luna Rossa vs Luna Rossa Carbon Comparison

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Here we are with another head to head cologne comparison between two Prada fragrances, from the Luna Rossa line: Luna Rossa vs. Carbon. Now, Luna Rossa Carbon is obviously a flanker scent to the original, but did it end up surpassing it in quality? In this post, I’m going to do my usual breakdown of features, which has the edge in categories, and the overall best smelling option out of the two.

Tale of the Tape: Luna Rossa vs. Carbon

Luna Rossa Carbon

Notes include: lavender, ambroxan, metallic notes, pepper, patchouli, coal, bergamot

Click here to try: Prada Luna Rossa CARBON for Men Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 ounce

My Original Review: Luna Rossa Carbon

Luna Rossa

Notes include:  lavender, sage, spearmint, ambrette, ambroxan, and bitter orange

Click here to try: Prada Luna Rossa Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

My Review: Luna Rossa Review

Opening

The original Luna Rossa, opens with a blast of citrus and lavender, which is quickly joined by that cold spearmint note. It has a bright, positive, albeit ‘breezy’ sort of quality. The bitter orange citrus is the main highlight of the open.

It’s not too complex of a cologne. It’s a nice balance between that bitter orange citrus and the cooling freshness of the spearmint. Add to that, the signature lavender (which starts off lighter), and you’ve got yourself a very pleasing scent.

Carbon, on the other hand, opens with a pretty intense bergamot citrus, and is joined by lavender, pepper, and ambroxan.

After about five minutes, the lavender becomes much more of the biggest star of the composition. This whole affair, is why it draws so many comparisons with Sauvage.

Which one do I like better? I think I have a slight affinity towards how Luna Rossa starts off. The orange gives it a different citrus aroma, they share the lavender, and the mint sets it apart.

Plus, the lavender is much more subdued in the original than in Carbon. The more time that I have spent with each, over the past few years, the more that I like Luna Rossa’s start compared to Carbon’s.

Edge: Luna Rossa

Projection

Luna Rossa is moderate. Heck, even on the lighter end of the spectrum of moderate. Carbon is pretty loud at the beginning and then settles down into a moderate, though, it is a stronger moderate than the original. Carbon wins this.

The citrus, pepper, and ambroxan  gives Carbon its punch early on. It outdoes the mint note in the original.

Luna Rossa isn’t weak, it’s just not a powerhouse. You’ll definitely notice that its there, but you’re not going to overwhelm the room, unless you go crazy with the sprays.

Edge: Carbon

Longevity

This is another clear win for Carbon. It’ll last 10+ hours on my skin, while I can only manage 6-8 hours with Luna Rossa. Luna Rossa isn’t bad, but Carbon has better staying power. Both of these fall pretty consistently within this range.

Luna Rossa doesn’t have that one note, that will just keep going, while Carbon does have more heft to its overall composition.

Edge: Carbon

Versatility

I don’t see a real winner in terms of when it can be worn seasonally or during specific occasions. They can both do the everyday, casual, office wear, and date night. These two scents are very versatile.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

So, Carbon has the edge in terms of it’s strength and staying power, and there’s no clear winner in versatility. However, in my mind the original Luna Rossa smells better.

It’s a simple fragrance, but effective. In it’s minimalism, Luna Rossa is very fresh and inviting. The spearmint note adds a nice little dash of cooled sharpness to the cologne, which I feel keeps it from getting boring.

It’s invigorating and very pleasant. The lavender never becomes too heavy and once that initial orange and mint tones down, it’s an attractive wear.

I like Carbon too. If you’re someone who really enjoys Dior Sauvage, this is a very close approximation of that scent, especially when smelled from a distance. Neither one of these is a bad cologne, but Luna Rossa has a more pleasant and desirable aroma, in my opinion.

It sort of all depends on how you want your lavender note served up. I just prefer the original more so.

Winner: Luna Rossa

La Nuit de L’Homme by YSL

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I wanted to start a whole new swath of fragrance reviews on this site and thought that I’d start with an offering from one of my favorite design houses, Yves Saint Laurent. YSL has several classic scents under their belts for both men and women but it is not content on relying on old staples and continues to crank out great colognes.

In this post, I want to take a closer look at the highly popular La Nuit de L’Homme, and give my opinion as to whether or not it is worth a try. Other YSL Reviews: L’Homme Libre, Body Kouros, L’Homme

What does La Nuit de L’Homme Smell Like?

Notes include: cardamom, bergamot, vetiver, lavender, cedar

Try it out: Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’homme Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.3-Ounce

Full Wear Review

The first impressions that I gather from La Nuit is how utterly perfect it seems for nighttime wear. I mean, there are plenty of great smelling colognes, but this is just built for a night on the town and for getting close to the ladies.

It’s a sweet scent that doesn’t venture off into the super candy-like aroma, rather, it remains steadfast in its masculinity. Sweet, but the opening is a spicy freshness, with dry and woody undertones. That will shift, as we move along, but the opening brings it.

At the top,  you are definitely getting hit with the cardamom right away. This note will often be a supporting player, but in La Nuit de l’Homme, it is the main attraction.

At first, it is paired with a very light citrus note of bergamot, which gives the composition a bit of brightness. However, the overall impression is one of warmth, and super freshness.

After the first few minutes, the lavender steps up big time, along with the cedar. So, you get a mix of cardamom and lavender (cardamom still the strongest), with fresh woody aromas emanating from the base.

It pretty much stays like this for the duration of the rest of the wear, but a nice vetiver does begin to peak through to about the same level as the cedar. La Nuit is a warm slightly sweet and slightly spicy fragrance, that has a fresh cleanliness, and a dark character.

For a time, La Nuit is quite powdery and has a really attractive aroma, as it dries down. I like the opening of this scent, but the dry down is fantastic.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s not a fill the room scent. It is subtle, but still noticeable, to those in your immediate presence. The sillage starts off moderate, but goes light after about an hour or two. Don’t expect a powerhouse from this or the other scents in the L’Homme lineup of colognes.

That initial punch is still pretty solid, though. Just nowadays, it doesn’t keep to that same level for all that long.

I don’t find its longevity to be anything spectacular either, it will usually last for what you need it to do (6 hours of solid performance and then maybe 2 more that it has faded a bit). For me, it has been a consistent 6-8 hour scent over the years, including the last time I recently tried it.

I know, there have been reformulations, and some think it is now weaker. I’m not sure, but again, never been a beast for me.

Update: I recently tried a newer batch of this and it was around 5 hours of wear. That’s pretty bad for a designer fragrance. The scent is absolutely still great, but I’ve really got to spray the heck out of my bottle whenever I wear it. Not too big of a deal, but La Nuit has taken a step back over the years.

It is such a balanced offering and I think that is part of the reason that it is so good. It smooth, not overpowering, and it has an alluring mystery behind it. I would say that this is a date night type of cologne and not a bold nightclub standout such as 1 Million.

Also, where 1 Million is more energetic and youthful, La Nuit De L’Homme is classy and refined. Though, it is quite versatile beyond that application.

You can wear it casually or to work as well. It’ll fit in just fine. Seasonally, best in colder to temperate weather, not a summertime scent.

It is among the sexiest men’s fragrances out there, because it always seems to draw compliments. It’s just been consistent for me over the years, with how it draws attention, even in its lighter state.

That seems to be once it settles down into its more powdery state and less during its more intense opening.

La Nuit de L’Homme is one that has been the signature scent for many guys, since its release. It can still play that role, just not to the same degree now, with the performance issues.

Overall Impressions of La Nuit

Overall, though, I have to recommend this scent. It is sexy and pleasing and generally very well-liked by women. I really like the opening burst, with the bergamot. Plus, the dry down when the vetiver arrives is great.

That opening act with the bergamot and cardamom is nice. But, coming back to this one with my newer bottle, I have been remembering how much I enjoy the mid and latter stages of La Nuit de L’homme.

The lavender, vetiver, and cedar…along with the remaining but toned down cardamom is still awesome and a pleasure to wear.

Scent wise, this is a definite buy. Performance wise, it’s just okay. This has been a very popular scent for long time now, so, it has proven itself among the masses and gotten very positive feedback. Give it a try for yourself.

The good news is that, it’s one that actually does go on sale from time to time, either directly from YSL or through a discount site. I got it and a bottle of L’Homme from YSL, buy one get one free, if I remember correctly.

Polo Blue vs Ultra Blue Cologne Comparison

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For this installment of my head to head fragrance match ups, we have two entries from Ralph Lauren: the original Polo Blue EDT vs. Ultra Blue. Which smells better? The original or its newer flanker cologne release? I have tested out both of them, and as usual, will break down each to some key metrics and declare an ultimate victor.

Ultra Blue or Polo Blue EDT? Tale of the Tape

Polo Blue

Notes include: amber, melon, patchouli, geranium, cucumber, tangerine, moss, musk

Click here to try: Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren for Men, Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original review: Polo Blue Review

Ultra Blue

Notes include: lemon, salt, amber, bergamot, basil, verbena, sage, juniper

Click here to try: Ralph Lauren Polo Ultra Blue 2.5 Fluid ounce Eau De Toilette

Read my review: Ultra Blue

Opening

Polo Blue EDT starts out with a crisp blend of melon and cucumber. It’s chilled with a hint of tangerine and amber. To me, it’s always felt kind of bland. It’s nice but not anything spectacular.

I do like that crispness, slight spice, and semi-aquatic feel. On a summer’s day, it can be quite invigorating, even if it isn’t super unique or exciting.

Ultra Blue goes with lemon and salt at the opener, which ain’t much more exciting. It is more of an aquatic and the saltiness is sort of like an ocean breeze. Ultra Blue tracks closer to the EDP version of Blue.

Which is better? Ehhh, it’s a tough call, as neither are great but I think I enjoy the original Blue more here. Ultra Blue tries to go for more of the herbal freshness, with oceanic elements.

That’s not a bad thing, but the execution, isn’t amazing. Pretty good, enjoyable, but I’ll still go with Blue EDT for the starting portion.

Edge: Polo Blue

Projection

The original Polo Blue isn’t a beast, the sillage is moderate for much of the wear, but overall quite solid. You’ll notice it and so will others. I get good performance from the EDT, in this regard. It’s definitely not meant to be a projection monster, but it does give you

Ultra Blue is really kind of weak. It’s somewhat moderate for maybe an hour and then turns into a skin scent. Ralph Lauren fragrances can be so hit or miss, with the power.

Ultra Blue is one of the releases, that is pretty noticeably weak. Particularly when compared to the rest of the Polo Blue lineup, which aren’t that powerful themselves.

It’s kind of surprising, as the other Blue scents are around the same with their sillage. Ultra Blue sort of falls flat.

Edge: Polo Blue

Longevity

Polo Blue always lasted about 7-8 hours on my skin, which is a very respectable amount of time. Blue EDT is at least above average, each time that I’ve worn it. It hasn’t disappointed me, at any time.

While Ultra Blue has weak sillage, it actually stays on the skin for 6 hours, which is a bit weird. However, it is such a light fragrance that its lack of sillage really undercuts how long you think it lasts, since you’re not smelling it all of the time.

Neither one of these colognes peters out early. Blue still wins it fairly easily, with both the hours it can last, and its sustained strength.  But, it’s also true that neither is an absolute performer, on the skin.

Edge: Polo Blue

Versatility

Both scents are spring/summertime wears, since they share a common DNA. I’d wear either casually. They could both be worn at an office or for school. They sort of share the same space.

They can technically go year round, but fit in much better during the warmer months. The summer is the peak of Polo Blue’s powers, it’s really a nice and simple wear for that time.

Each is a very versatile wear, that can serve as a daily cologne, for many guys. No clear winner here.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Ultra Blue isn’t a bad smelling cologne. Actually, I quite enjoy the aroma. The lemon, the saltiness, swimming in amber with just a hint of sage and basil sitting underneath. It’s nice. The sillage is just bad and it offers no real advantage over either Polo Blue EDT or EDP.

I’m not even that much of a fan of the original Polo Blue EDT because I find it to be pretty boring. It does smell good and has nice performance, which versus Ultra Blue, that’s all that you really need.

Polo Blue EDT is the winner here, but I’d take the EDP over either of these. Actually, if you were leaning towards Ultra Blue, the newer Deep Blue is closer to that but with better performance. Much more oceanic and with a nice mango note.

I think nowadays, my number one and two from this line would be Blue EDP or Deep Blue. Really depending on the day, which would take that first spot. EDT is fine and can be an easy to wear scent, but it pretty easily takes the win here.

Winner: Polo Blue

Dylan Blue vs Dior Sauvage Cologne Comparison

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There has been a lot of talk over the past year about Dylan Blue and Dior Sauvage EDT. Both are best selling scents who have a ton in common in terms of smell and performance. However, if one is in the market for a bottle of either, which is the best bet? Which of these colognes actually smells better? Gives a better performance? Continue below for my full comparison breakdown.

Tale of the Tape: Sauvage or Dylan Blue?

Sauvage

Notes of Sauvage: bergamot, ambroxan, lavender, pepper, wood notes

Click here to try: Christian Dior Sauvage for Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My Original Sauvage Review

Dylan Blue

Notes include: black pepper, violet leaf, grapefruit, bergamot, tonka bean, ambrox, fig leaf

Click here to try: VERSACE Pour Homme Sealed Dylan Blue Eau de Toilette, 3.4 Ounce

Read my Full Review of Dylan Blue

Opening

The opening of Sauvage gives me a strong ambroxan (amber) aroma with pepper and a sharp bergamot note. Indeed, the reason people look towards these two colognes, is because they are so similar in their composition.

To my nose, Dylan Blue is a lot stronger on the citrus from the start, paring the bergamot with grapefruit. After 10-15 minutes, Dylan Blue morphs into some kind of clone of Sauvage.

Coming back to these two colognes, a few years after this original comparison, I have a much higher opinion of the Versace fragrance’s start. The grapefruit note with the bergamot is really nice, however, the main attraction is the fig.

The fig and citrus blend is super enjoyable for me, when I’m in the mood for it. While the Sauvage opening, is sharp and can feel too abrasive, many times.

As such, I am revising the winner in this category. The better start? Dylan Blue. It’s not a major difference, but I find myself liking the beginning 30-60 minutes of Blue, much more than I used to.

Edge: Dylan Blue

Projection

For the first hour, Dylan Blue is pretty strong on my skin. Then, it drops off a lot and becomes much more of a moderate skin scent. It’s never completely weak or anything, but it doesn’t maintain the height of its power for very long.

Sauvage is probably the same strength as Dylan Blue during that first hour. The difference is that Sauvage does a better job as sustaining itself throughout. The decay of the strength, is a slow process, and Sauvage takes its sweet time.

Edge: Sauvage

Longevity

The Versace gives me 5-6 hours, at the most. I’ve worn it a lot, trying to get more out of it, and yet it remains a moderate fragrance. This has remained true, for every time that I’ve used it over the past 3 or 4 years.

Sauvage isn’t an absolute beast but it is a few hours better. You’re looking at 7-8 hours of solid wear from this Dior cologne. In the right circumstances, I can pull off 9 hours, but it’s not a guarantee.

If we’re talking about the EDT version, it’s better. If you go with the other Sauvage’s they can usually hit 10+ hours easily.

Edge: Sauvage

Versatility

As these two scents are so similar in their presentation, there is no clear cut winner here. Both can be worn casually or out on the town for an evening. Both shine in warmer weather and yet still can fit in the rest of the year.

Neither is a formal type of fragrance and both do tend to skew towards being worn by younger guys.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I’m going with Dior Sauvage as the winner. Dylan Blue has grown on me, over the years. I used to find it completely uninteresting, but eventually began to like the opening act a good deal. Nonetheless, it doesn’t really sustain itself.

The fig paired with the citrus is pretty nice, but there is a huge ambroxan note here, that gets bothersome to me (as does the Dior).

Neither cologne is my personal favorite to wear. They are both pleasant and versatile scents that give good enough performance.

Sauvage is just better at everything. Dylan Blue, does have the nice citrus opening but then it fades out too quickly, which is a disappointment to me.

Once I get past the opening act, Sauvage is more tolerable to me, but still isn’t a must have. It just takes this head to head.

Unless pricing is a serious consideration, go with Sauvage. Though, if you want to save some cash, Dylan Blue will get you most of what you want from Sauvage. There are also a million other fragrances that have tried to ‘dupe’ Dior Sauvage.

To me, Sauvage EDP is the best of either, and I’d prefer that to the original EDT.

Winner: Sauvage